Letters to the editor

January 03, 2006

Santa Claus is not Satan

To the editor:

In response to: "A spirit we must all fight," by Leonard Cooper:

Christmas is a huge celebration of the birth of our savior Jesus Christ. It is a time to remember the gift of life that is given to us through Jesus and also the demonstration of God's love for all people. We exchange gifts as a tradition and in remembrance of the gift that God has given to us.

The story of Santa Claus is derived from a Turkish man named Nickelless Clout who shared his wealth by giving gifts to children. He was a Christian who served God through charity. St. Nick started a tradition that spread throughout the world, giving gifts in remembrance of Jesus.

Satan plays no part in Christmas traditions if we know in our hearts and minds the true meaning of the day. Children who believe in Santa Claus are not all unaware of the true meaning of Christmas. There is nothing evil about giving and receiving gifts or believing in a fictional character such as Santa. I grew up in a Christian household but I was not deprived of the fun that is believing in Santa Claus. My parents made us aware of God's gift not only on Christmas but everyday of the year.

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Santa Claus is not a lie started by Satan to deceive children. Who are you to say that Satan invented Santa Claus? Santa is a person who represents everything that God exists for, love, giving, and sharing. Everyone knows that God has the final victory. Satan did not devise a plan to take attention away from Jesus on Christmas.

It is true, however, that many have lost sight of the true meaning of Christmas. I agree that it is very important to raise children with Christian values and make them understand what Christmas is really about in order to carry on Christian beliefs. It is in no way, however, evil to allow your children to believe in Santa.

Also if you are going to quote scripture to further your argument you shouldn't take it out of context. The passage you refer to, Isaiah 11:6 "a little child will lead them," is referring to the messianic age in which a little child will be able to lead dangerous animals without being harmed, it represents conditions of peace an safety. This passage has nothing to do with children leading mankind. Also Proverbs 22:6 "Train a child in the way he shall go and he will not turn from it" simply establishes that instruction and discipline are needed to shape a child's actions. This is true, if we instill Christian values in our children they will remain forever whereas the story of Santa will soon be forgotten.

Oh yeah, and I'm sure that you didn't give or receive any gifts for Christmas ...

Constance Saylor

Boonsboro

Thanks for helping our growing family

To the editor:

This letter is to express a deep gratitude and thank you to several strangers who upon reading this will know who they are. But a little history about our not-so-little family.

A year ago our family was small - myself, my husband Nathan and two children, Danielle and Matthew. Our life was simple with working, chores, cheerleading, school projects, softball, baseball, church and family time. But all that changed at the end of January 2005. I received a call from Washington County Department of Social Services. A case worker asked if I could take my 4-year-old great-niece and two great-nephews, ages 30 months and 13 months.

I asked what would happen if my husband and I could not take them. They told me that they had no foster home that could take all three of them and they would have to be placed in different homes. And with that question answered, I knew what needed to be done. So on that fateful day, our family grew by leaps and crawls.

My church family at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church and family members all stood behind our decision. So through this year our little family embarked on a glorious journey of faith and love, not just as a family but for each one of us. All of a sudden my husband and I were now parents of five children instead of two.

Our 15-year-old daughter gave up her routine of getting up in the morning and turning on her stereo to spend her time in a world of Dora and Barbies. Our 8-year-old son had to learn to share his room and his world with a 2 1/2 year old. The only question was, "Why did the baby get his own room?"

They soon found out that he still cried a lot. But our little family has adjusted. We still do everything we had always done before. But our family would like to extend several thank yous to the following people to the Department of Social Services and the several case workers who have been involved in our care and helping us muddle through this year, to St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church for standing behind us and so often reminding us what a great job we are doing.

Thanks also to the members of St. Ann's, who bought Christmas presents for the foster children in our area, to the South Hagerstown High School Athletic Boosters for helping our daughter remain a cheerleader, and to the people of the Salvation Army and those who participated in the Angel Tree. And to Group Seven at Citicorp that adopted our family.

And last but not least, to our family and friends who have stood by us and offered to baby-sit or just call or come by to see if we needed anything. Thank you. It seems to be such a small statement. But without it, the only other thing we could say is bless you all.